Implement for pulling up potato-plants.



No. 653,635. Patented My ID, I900...

' J. ZIMMEBMANN.

IMPLEM ENT FOR PULLING UP POTATO PLANTS.

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No. 653,635. T Patented July l0, 19 00. J. ZIMMERMANN.

IMPLEMENT FOB PULLINGUP POTATO PLANTS.

(Application filed June 26, 1899.)

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No. 653,635. I Patented July l0, I900. J. ZIMMEBMANN.

' IMPLEMENT FOR PULLING UP POTATO PLANTS.

(A pl cation filed. June 26, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 TM: mama PETERS w. Pnowu'ma, wunmmcm 04 c:

No. 653,635. Patented July It), I900.

J. ZIMMERMAN N. IMPLEMENT FOB PULLING UP POTATO PLANTS.

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UNITED: STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAKOB ZIMMERMANN, OF MUNICH, GERMANY.

IMPLEMENT FOR PULL'ING UP POTATO-PLANTS.

SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No;653,635, dated July 10, 1900.

Application filed June 26, 1899. $erial No. 721,903. (No model.)

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AKOB ZIMMERMANN, a subject of the King of Bavaria, residing at Munich in the Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire, have invented new and useful Im-. provements in Implemenisfor Pulling Up Potato-Plants, of which the following is a specification.

In using potato-diggers as at present constructed it is found that the removal of the plant presents difficulties and that the device for the purpose impedes the action of the devices for digging and collecting the tubers. According to the present invention this difficulty is obviated by keeping the two operations entirely separate through using two distinct implements.

The implement forming the subject of the present application is only for pulling up the potato-plant, and this operation is carried out preliminary to the use of the implement for digging and gathering the tubers from the rows or hills.

The implement now described consists, essentially, of a device for tearing asundenor separating the plant in order to press the stalks forward, a device for drawing the stalks together into a convenient position, and a wheel to seize them in a bunch by means of a bowed spring, pull them' up and transport them to a series of traveling bands provided with teeth, which bring the plant under a cutting device having a set of stationary and of rotating knives. Bymeans of this latter arrangement the plant is chopped up and may be then dispersed. Any tubers which may be lifted with the plant are separated by a rake device below the wheel.

On the accompanying drawings one form of carrying out the invention is shown.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section ofthe implement; Fig. 2, a plan View of the same; Fig. 3, a section on the line 00 at, Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a rear view, to alarger scale, of the wheel for pulling up the plant, the central case or cylinder being shown in section. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of Fig. 4; Fig. 6, one of the arms of the wheel, separately drawn to a still larger scale and showing the hook and bowed spring. Fig. 7 is a plan View of the latter.

The implement as a whole runs on wheels a and is driven by chain-wheels I), mounted on the same axle and engaging with other chain-wheels d. The implement is steered by the fore carriage c. On the axle of the wheels a is mounted the main framework Z, carrying at its front end the vertical adjustable blade device m, which forms a preliminary or advance cutter and serves the purpose of tearing the plant apart and bending it'over in the direction in which the implement is traveling. Below the frameworkl is carried a shaft 'n, on which is mounted the frame 7c,carrying the operating device proper. The frame can be raised and lowered at its rear end by means of a crank 0, shaft 0, and chain 0 whereby the wheel e may be adjusted to the proper height. The frame 70 also carries the bowed pivotally mounted presser device 1', for pressing down the stalks of the plant; This device is carried by lateral arms 6, Fig. 1, and presses down the plant by its own weight into the position for the wheel to seize it. This Wheel consists of a cylindrical case 6, having hooks c secured radially to it and adapted to seize the stalks of the plant pressed down by the presser device t', as shown in Fig. 5, and to pull them out and elevate them. On the case 6 bowed springs q are arranged, pressed outward by the spiral springs 10 and each having one end connected to a chain or wire fastened to one arm of alever r, Fig. 5, pivoted tothe case 6. These bowed springs q are for, the purpose of preventing the plant which has been pulled up from falling down again, so that it maybe carried by the hooks e to a transport mechanism f and there deposited by the bowed springs q, being drawn back through the operation. of their respective levers r. The bowed springs are acted upon twice by the levers r in each revolution of the wheelthat is, on the levers r sliding over the two rollers r, Figs. at and 5. Above the wheel are a number of sickle-shaped knives g, Figs. 1 and 3, so arranged that they take into the spaces between the traveling bands f. Operating with the rotating blades g are other stationary blades h, fixed on the main framework in such manner that each blade g comes between two stationary knives h.

The operation of the implement is as follows: The plant pulled out of the ground is chopped up and may then fall into a collector or (since in this chopped form the stalks can no longer impede the potato-digging machine) may be allowed to drop on the row. Behind the wheel, Fig. 1, a rake t is arranged, by means of which any potatoes pulled up and hanging to the plant are raked off and fall to the ground. At the rear end of the implement there is also a device it for working through the rows or hills, and thus preparing for the subsequent operation of the potatogatherer.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An implement for pulling up potatoplants, comprising a suitable framework Z mounted on wheels at c and carryingadeviee m to separate the plants, and an adjustable frame It on which is pivoted a device i to bend over the plants, said frame having mounted on it a wheel driven by means of suitable gearing from the main axle, provided with hooks e and a spring device q and operating mechanism 7" r; in combination with a transporter f, and cutting device consisting of rotary blades'g cooperating with stationary blades h, and a raking device 15, all substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an implement for pulling up potatoplants, a wheel for seizing and raising the plants from the ground comprising a central part or case having radial hooked arms a and bowed springs q pressed outward by spiral springs 17 and drawn inward by lever and roller device 7* r, all arranged and operating substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAKOB ZIMMERMANN.

Witnesses:

GUNTON FAMBACHER, EMIL HENGEL. 

